The island of Providenciales
is home to eight protected areas: three national parks, three nature reserves, and two protected historical sites. About half of the coast of Providenciales is under the protection of either a national park or a nature reserve.
National parks, nature reserves, and historical sites do have varying degrees and types of protections, but taking or harming any animal, plant, historical item, or natural feature in a protected area is generally prohibited. This includes fishing and shell collecting.
Although not protected in any way under the law, several other sites on Providenciales deserve either National Park or Nature Reserve status. Examples include The Hole and the surrounding limestone formations in Long Bay and the partially collapsed giant sinkhole and cave (home to the majority of the island’s bats) near the Providenciales International Airport (PLS).
Another example was the many extremely scenic sinkholes and small caves near Cooper Jack Bay Beach (probably the best location on the island for showing off features of the Karst process of dissolution). However, the Government approved the bulldozing and destruction of this site to make way for a residential development.
Tourism and Use of National Parks
Unfortunately, many of the protected areas on Providenciales rarely experience visits from locals, let alone tourists. The primary reason for this is lack of access, however, limited knowledge and crime concerns also play a part.
When many of the protected areas in the Turks and Caicos were designated in the early 1990s, an excellent job was done on Providenciales of identifying and selecting the varied and unique ecosystems and terrains to preserve.
Areas such as the Frenchman's Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve reflect this fact, where an impressive diversity of landscapes can be seen.
Largely because the world-famous Grace Bay Beach is included in the region, Princess Alexandra National Park and the smaller nature reserve within it see by far the most use and appreciation of any protected area in the Turks and Caicos.
Strict regulations apply in all of the protected areas on Providenciales. Here are the most important regulations that are applicable in all protected areas:
It is illegal to fish and collect conch and lobster in a National Park. Violators will face large fines and jail time.
Removing or damaging historical artifacts is illegal. Violators will face large fines and jail time.
It is illegal to remove shells, corals, plants, animals, and sand from a National Park without government permission.
Keep well away from all marine life. Certain fish and animal species are venomous, and touching them may result in serious injury.
It is illegal to have unleashed dogs on the beach and in public. Keep your dog leashed and clean up after it.
Defacing historical features or artifacts is illegal. Graffiti and rock carving are prohibited. Violators can face large fines and jail time.
It is illegal to litter or dump waste. This includes cigarette butts, bottles, cans, and plastic. Take trash with you.
No open fires on the beach are allowed. Fires are only permitted in a portable grill or stove. Take ashes with you.
No driving of any type of vehicle off of designated paths is allowed.
A 15 mph (24 km/h) speed limit for power vessels is applicable in protected area waters. To camp in a protected area, written approval from the Director of the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) is necessary. For information on obtaining camping or fishing licenses, contact the National Environmental Centre and see Fishing. For information on the environment, conservation, and threats, see Environmental Conservation.
National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Protected Areas
This highly important coastal and marine protected area is off the north coast of Providenciales and includes Grace Bay Beach, the Bight Beach, the Bight Reef, Leeward Beach, Smith’s Reef, and a large portion of the northern barrier reef of Providenciales. This area also includes the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay and the wetland islands of Mangrove Cay and Donna Cay.
Chalk Sound is a brilliant turquoise lagoon filled with hundreds of little rocky islands. On calm days, this is an excellent location for kayaking and paddleboarding. Many upscale residences and rental villas surround this scenic lagoon, and the beautiful Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay beaches are located nearby.
The remote and rugged limestone coastline of Northwest Point offers countless small coves and cliffs to explore. The interior ponds here are some of the best birdwatching spots on Providenciales. It's an especially impressive place when the ocean swell is high.
Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve is the largest section of protected land on Providenciales and covers an area that’s roughly 2 by 4 miles (3 by 6 km). Several different types of local terrain are represented here, including mangrove wetlands, sandy beaches, sea cliffs, and inland saline ponds.
Found on a little hill overlooking South Dock, Sapodilla Bay Beach, and Chalk Sound, this historical site still bears inscriptions from travelers and shipwrecked sailors from times past. There’s not much left of the centuries-old rock carvings, but the views from this point are spectacular and are definitely worth the hike.
This quiet site is a window into the past of the Caicos Islands. Situated on a hilltop near the Downtown area, Cheshire Hall offers the best-preserved plantation era ruins on Providenciales. Built by Loyalist planter Thomas Stubbs in the late 1700s, this site produced cotton and sisal for export.
Located on the far eastern point of Providenciales, this trail leads through beautiful coastal and marine wetlands. The trail ends near Bird Rock, offering great views over the Caicos Banks and the surrounding wilderness.
Maps of Protected Areas on Providenciales
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